Check-hook.



, UNITED STATES Patented October 6, 1903.

ATENT Orrros.

HALF TO JOHN A. COOK, OF W'ALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT.

CHECK-HOOK.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 740,432, dated October 6, 1903. Application filed June 7, 1902- s erial No- 1lO,62l. (No model.)

zen of the United States, residing at Wa11iug-' ford, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Check -Hooks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to check-hooks; and the object thereof is the provision of a book of this character having a movable loop through which the checkrein is inserted before being passed over the hook proper, said loop serving to prevent displacement of the checkrein during use, and yet permitting a free release thereof when desired.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view of a horse with my improved hook secured to the saddle of the harness. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view,in side elevation,of the hook. Fig. 3 is a front elevation looking to the right in Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation,showing myinvention applied to a posthook.

Like numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 5 indicates the saddle of a harness to whichis secured at 6 the check-hook 7, the latter comprising a base 8, having the hook proper, 9. Preferably pivotally mounted in an integral hook-shaped bearing 10 of the body'of the hook 9 is a loop 12, whose free end passesover the hook and which when the device is not in use assumes the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, and to maintain said.

- serving to limit the downward movement of the loop, as will be obvious. This hook may 'be cast, or formed from sheet metal, if depoint where the hook proper merges into the flat base 8 (shown in Fig. 2 or into the curved base (illustrated in Fig. 4 the loop does not project as far from said hook proper, it assumes an inclined position when the checkrein is in place, and the usual strain on the min will hold the top of the loop snugly against the outer surface of the hook proper and saidtop will bear upon the edges of the rein-loop, and consequently will hold the rein more firmly. Furthermore, by this construction the'device is rendered more rigid and compact and is of better appearance than it would be if the loop were otherwise connected to the hook.

, In prior constructions of which I am aware the entire loop through which the rein is passed is outside of the hook, is in the way, and presents an unsightly appearance; but, as above stated, by pivoting the loop to the inside of the hook the latter passes through it and only a part of said loop projects forward of the book when the loop rests upon the lugs 13 13', as shown in Fig. 2.

Much annoyance has been experienced with check-hooks commonly employed by the accidental displacement of the checkrein from said hooks, thereby rendering it necessary to replace the same, and it is a desideratum to provide a device which will overcome this objection.

When my improved hook is employed and it is desired to check up the horse, the free portion of the checkrein is first inserted through the loop 12, after which it is passed over the book 9, as shown in Fig. 1, the loop serving when this is .done to prevent the the hook, and havinga cross-bar mounted in the bearing, and being limited in its downward movement by the lugs.

3. A check-hook comprising a base having a hook proper, lateral lugs, and a flexible bearing on its inner side in line with the upper ends of said lugs; and a rein-retaining loop pivoted in the bearing and having its upper portion surrounding the hook proper, whereby when said loop is in its lower position only its front part projects forward of the hook.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LOUIS C. HILLER.

Witnesses:

Jos. L. WHITE, Jr., FRAN G. CAMPBELL. 

